Apparatus for surrounding an exerciser with cooling air having manual local control of air outlets built into a stationary exercise device

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is disclosed that cools an individual while using a stationary exercise device by supplying cooling air that mostly surrounds the individual, herein called the SurroundCool™ effect. A plurality of air outlets provides a flow of cooling air from a plurality of locations and/or directions to generate the SurroundCool™ effect. Each air outlet is independently adjustable in direction over a range of directions for accommodating various exerciser shapes and sizes. Each air outlet is also independently adjustable in flow rate over a range of flow rates, including fully open and fully closed, so as to help provide a desired level of cooling. Some embodiments allow control of at least one characteristic of the cooling air, including temperature, flow rate, and humidity. In some embodiments, the range of directions is bounded so as to ensure that each cooling air outlet can only be directed at the individual, thereby saving energy.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No.12/001,003, filed Dec. 7, 2007, herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety. U.S. application Ser. No. ______, filed Nov. 22, 2010,entitled APPARATUS FOR COOLING AN EXERCISER HAVING CONVENIENTCENTRALIZED CONTROL OF AIR OUTLETS BUILT INTO A STATIONARY EXERCISEDEVICE, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, is also aContinuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/001,003, filed Dec.7, 2007. U.S. Application Ser. No. ______, filed Nov. 22, 2010, entitled“APPARATUS FOR COOLING AN EXERCISER HAVING MANUAL LOCAL CONTROL OF AIROUTLETS BUILT INTO DISCRETE COOLING ASSEMBLIES”, herein incorporated byreference in its entirety, is also a Continuation-in-Part of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/001,003, filed Dec. 7, 2007.

FIELD

The invention generally relates to stationary exercise machines, andmore specifically to apparatus for cooling individuals while usingstationary exercise machines.

BACKGROUND

Exercise is generally known to have many benefits for individuals of allages. These benefits include improved cardiovascular health, reducedblood pressure, prevention of bone and muscle loss, maintenance of ahealthy weight, improved psychological heath, and many others. However,exercise is generally accompanied by a certain degree of discomfort,including overheating, sweating, fatigue, etc, and this leads to asignificant reduction in the amount of exercise undertaken by manyindividuals, thereby reducing the health benefits derived from exercise.

Because of weather variability, convenience, and time constraints,exercise often takes place indoors using a stationary exercise machine,such as a stepper, stationary bicycle, elliptical, treadmill, etc.Attempts are sometimes made to increase the comfort of exercisingindividuals in these environments by optimizing the surroundingtemperature. But this can be largely unsatisfactory, because exercisersgenerally require different degrees of cooling depending on individualphysiology and on how long and how vigorously they have been exercising.If the surrounding air is warm enough to be comfortable for individualsjust beginning an exercise session, it will likely be too warm forindividuals well into a vigorous session. And if the surrounding air iscool enough to be comfortable for an individual who has been exercisingvigorously for a significant amount of time, it will likely be too coldfor individuals just beginning to exercise.

SUMMARY

Preferred embodiments provide a number of advantages over prior systems.For example, as recognized by the invention, preferred embodimentsemploy cooling air to improve the exerciser's experience. Humansgenerally perspire so that perspiration evaporates off of the skin,removing heat from the exerciser. In some cases, however, excessiveperspiration fails to sufficiently evaporate, and thus fails to removesufficient heat from the exerciser. Excessive perspiration can beuncomfortable for the exerciser, unsanitary, and generally undesirable.Moreover, if sufficient heat is not removed from the exerciser, seriousheat-related illnesses can develop, such as heat stress, heat stroke,and nausea.

Generally, in similar temperature conditions, the presence or absence ofairflow, or the particular flow rate, can be the determining factor asto whether the exerciser perspires. In typical exercise environments,such as the common gym, for example, the environment is designed toregulate the temperature of the gym as a whole. Sometimes, free-standingfans are included to help improve the air circulation within the gym.

However, as described in more detail below, preferred embodiments offeran exerciser a significant improvement in comfort, thereby tending toincrease the amount of exercise and the benefits derived therefrom,while also reducing risk of heat-related illnesses and/or excessivesweating. For example, in preferred embodiments, cooling air flow isdirected to mostly surround an exerciser, for example a well-conditionedexerciser exercising at maximum aerobic capacity, and this reduces thepropensity of the exerciser to perspire by a significant amount. Theexerciser does not overheat, and perspires much less, and consequentlythe exercise is limited primarily by the amount of work the exercisercan do, and not by the discomfort of overheating and the risk ofheat-related illness.

Additionally, preferred embodiments help reduce excessive sweating aswell as the symptoms of heat-related illness, or its onset. For example,preferred embodiments tend to reduce nausea while exercising, decreaseperspiration dripping over the exercise machine and floor, and reducenausea after exercising.

Additionally, for certain exercisers, preferred embodiments eliminatethe tendency to perspire entirely. For example, preferred embodimentsprevent an average exerciser of modest aerobic capacity, who is notworking near their maximum, from any perspiration at all. Eliminatingperspiration can provide a number of additional benefits.

For example, perspiration typically causes body odor. As such, typicalexercisers tend to bathe after exercise. But without perspiration,bathing is less necessary, which reduces hot water consumption asexercisers take fewer showers, and shortens the total time required tovisit the gym and engage in a workout. Additionally, certain gyms do nothave bathing facilities. Eliminating perspiration eliminates the needfor an exerciser to exercise hard, get soaked in perspiration, and thendrive home. Consequently, gyms could generally maintain higher exerciseroom temperatures thereby reducing energy costs.

Additionally, overweight people generally have a body mass relative tosurface area that makes heat loss particularly difficult. Preferredembodiments can greatly reduce heat stress in the obese during exercise.Reducing the risk of heat-related illness, and generally making exercisemore comfortable, could be the difference that allows and/or encouragescertain obese people to exercise effectively, helping them to loseweight.

Preferred embodiments incorporating the SurroundCool™ effect, describedin more detail below, affect a greater surface area of an exerciser thanknown approaches to cooling an exerciser, thereby improving the transferof heat away from the exerciser. Additionally, because the SurroundCool™effect operates upon a greater surface area than known approaches,preferred embodiments provide superior perspiration evaporation.

In a general aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided forcooling an exerciser while the exerciser uses a stationary exercisedevice. The apparatus is built into the stationary exercise device, andincludes at least one cooling air input that is connectable to a coolingair source, the cooling air source being capable of supplying a flow ofcooling air. A plurality of air outlets are built into the stationaryexercise device, each air outlet being in airflow communication with theat least one cooling air input, at least one air outlet being manuallyand independently adjustable in direction over a range of directions,and the plurality of air outlets being arranged so as to mostly surroundthe exerciser with cooling air.

In a preferred embodiment, the range of directions is bounded so as toensure that each air outlet remains directed toward at least a part ofthe exerciser. In another preferred embodiment, the cooling air being atleast one of fresh air, chilled air, filtered air, and dehumidified air.In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes an aircharacteristic controller able to control at least one characteristic ofat least some of the cooling air supplied to the plurality of airoutlets, the characteristic being at least one of: fresh air content,temperature, flow rate, and humidity.

In still another preferred embodiment, the plurality of air outlets isdivided into at least two groups, and the air characteristic controlleris able to independently control the at least one characteristic of thecooling air for each of the at least two groups. In one embodiment, atleast one of the air outlets includes a flow rate adjuster that enablesmanual adjustment of the flow rate, within a range of flow rates, of thecooling air flowing out of the at least one air outlet. In oneembodiment, the range of flow rates includes zero air flow. In oneembodiment, at least one of the air outlets includes a shut-offmechanism that is able to prevent cooling air from flowing out of the atleast one air outlet.

In another preferred embodiment, the range of directions is bounded soas to allow a range of directions shaped like one of: a rectangle, anellipse, a diamond, a hexagon, an octagon, a square, a circle, apolygon, and an outline of a person. In another preferred embodiment,the cooling air source is one of: a fresh air conduit, a dehumidifier, awindow air conditioner, a free-standing room air conditioner, and acentral air conditioner. In another preferred embodiment, the coolingair source is built in to the stationary exercise device.

In still another preferred embodiment, the plurality of air outlets arebuilt into at least one extended member of the stationary exercisedevice, the extended member being extended so as to enable the airoutlets to contribute cooling air towards mostly surrounding theexerciser with cooling air. In one embodiment, at least one air outletis a directable nozzle having a rotatable ring that can be rotated tocontrol the air flow rate, including being able to completely stop airflow from the nozzle. In one embodiment, at least one air outlet is acooling air outlet with two sets of mutually perpendicular andindependently movable louvers, and a tab for directing both sets oflouvers.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes amechanism for closing the cooling air outlet. In another preferredembodiment, the air outlet is a cooling air outlet having a rotatableball with an array of square air channels, the cooling air outlet alsohaving a central joystick that can be used to direct the rotatable balland to shut off the cooling air outlet by rotating the joystick.

In still another preferred embodiment, the plurality of air outlets arearranged to suggest that the exerciser is within a vehicle cockpit. Inanother preferred embodiment, each air outlet can be manually andindependently adjusted using only one hand.

In another general aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided forcooling an exerciser while the exerciser uses a stationary exercisedevice. The apparatus is built into the stationary exercise device andincludes at least one cooling air input that is connectable to a coolingair source, the cooling air source being capable of supplying a flow ofcooling air, the cooling air being at least one of fresh air, chilledair, and filtered air. A plurality of air outlets are built into thestationary exercise device, each air outlet being in airflowcommunication with the at least one cooling air input, at least one airoutlet being manually and independently adjustable in direction over arange of directions, the range of directions being bounded so as toensure that each air outlet remains directed toward at least a part ofthe exerciser. At least one of the air outlets includes a flow rateadjuster that enables manual adjustment of the flow rate, within a rangeof flow rates, of the cooling air flowing out of the at least one airoutlet. At least one of the air outlets includes a shut-off mechanismthat is able to prevent cooling air from flowing out of the at least oneair outlet. The plurality of air outlets are arranged so as to mostlysurround the exerciser with cooling air.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the plurality of air outletsis built into at least one extended member of the stationary exercisedevice, the extended member being extended so as to enable the at leastone air outlet to contribute towards mostly surrounding the exerciserwith cooling air.

In certain preferred embodiments, the cooling air source is able tosupply cooling air to a plurality of stationary exercise devices, thecooling air being supplied at a pressure and flow rate that enables eachexerciser to meet individually-selected cooling requirements and/orpreferences.

In preferred embodiments, cooling air outlets are supplemented by atleast one conductive cooling applicator, the conductive coolingapplicator being capable of providing cooling by thermal conduction dueto a flow of cooling air flowing within the conductive coolingapplicator, the conductive cooling applicator being in airflowcommunication with the cooling air source. In further preferredembodiments, the conductive cooling applicator is included in at leastone of: a handle, a seat, a backrest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more fully understood from the following detaileddescription, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment that includes anair conditioner attached to a stationary exercise device, the airconditioner being connected to a heat exhausting duct, the embodimentfurther including a built-in cooling air outlet with a fan;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment that includes anair conditioner separate from a stationary exercise device, and acooling air outlet with a fan, which is attached to the stationaryexercise device;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment that includes anair conditioner separate from a stationary exercise device and abuilt-in cooling air outlet with a fan;

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment that includes anair conditioner separate from a stationary exercise device, a pluralityof cooling air outlets built into the deck of the stationary exercisedevice (here, a treadmill), and an air characteristic controller thatallows the exerciser to adjust the flow rate and temperature of thecooling air;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment that includes acooling air source located outside of an exercise room, the cooling airsource being able to supply cooling air to a plurality of stationaryexercise devices within the exercise room;

FIG. 4A is a functional diagram illustrating flow of cooling air throughcooling air outlets having adjustable louvers;

FIG. 4B is a functional diagram illustrating an air conditioner thatincludes a thermally conductive pipe cooled by a cooling liquid, coolingair being cooled by flowing past the thermally conductive pipe;

FIG. 4C is a functional diagram illustrating injection of cooling mistinto a flow of cooling air through the cooling air outlet of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment in which theback of an exerciser is cooled by a flow of cooling air directed ontothe exerciser from a cooling air outlet attached to the rear of theexercise device;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment in which anexerciser is cooled by conduction through contact with a seat, abackrest, and handles, each of which is cooled by a cooling fluid;

FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view illustrating cooling of the handles bythe cooling fluid in the embodiment of FIG. 5B;

FIG. 5D is a perspective view of an embodiment in which the back of theexerciser is cooled by a plurality of flows of cooling air from aplurality of cooling air outlets of an extended multi-vent rear member;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment that includes aplurality of cooling air outlets built into an elliptical exercisedevice and arranged so as to mostly surround an exerciser within aplurality of flows of cooling air, including a plurality of cooling airoutlets of an extended multi-vent rear member;

FIG. 6B is a perspective drawing of an embodiment similar to FIG. 6A,instead using a single-vent rear cooling air outlet configuration;

FIG. 6C is a perspective drawing of the embodiment of FIG. 6B, omittingthe exerciser for clarity of illustration, and schematicallyrepresenting cooling zones created by cooling air being projected fromeach cooling air outlet;

FIG. 6D is a perspective drawing of the embodiment of FIG. 6B, omittingthe exerciser for clarity of illustration, and schematicallyrepresenting cooling zones created by cooling air being projected onlyfrom the front cooling air outlets;

FIG. 6E is a perspective drawing of the embodiment of FIG. 6B, omittingthe exerciser for clarity of illustration, and schematicallyrepresenting cooling zones created by cooling air being projected onlyfrom the rear cooling air outlet;

FIG. 7A is a perspective side view of a cooling air outlet havingmechanically adjustable air-directing louvers, the louvers beingadjusted by manipulation of a central tab;

FIG. 7B is a perspective side drawing of the embodiment of FIG. 7A withthe louvers being shown tipped upward;

FIG. 7C is a perspective side drawing of the embodiment of FIG. 7A withthe louvers being shown tipped downward;

FIG. 7D is a perspective side drawing of the embodiment of FIG. 7A withthe louvers being shown tipped to the right;

FIG. 7E is a perspective side drawing of the embodiment of FIG. 7A withthe louvers being shown tipped to the left;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment that includes aplurality of cooling air outlets arranged so as to mostly surround anexerciser within a plurality of flows of cooling air, the cooling airoutlets being built into upright members positioned in front of andbehind the exerciser (not shown);

FIG. 8B is a perspective drawing of an embodiment that includes coolingair outlets built into a pair of extended horizontal members, which arelocated on both sides of the exerciser (not shown);

FIG. 8C is a perspective drawing of an embodiment similar to FIG. 8B, inwhich the cooling air source is included within the stationary exercisedevice;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment that includes aplurality of cooling air outlets arranged so as to mostly surround anexerciser within a plurality of flows of cooling air, the cooling airoutlets being built into upright members positioned in front of theexerciser and rear outlets below the exerciser (not shown);

FIG. 9B is a perspective drawing of an embodiment similar to FIG. 9A,which includes additional rear cooling air outlets below the exerciser;

FIG. 9C is a perspective drawing of an embodiment similar to FIG. 9B, inwhich the cooling air source is included within the stationary exercisedevice;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of two stationary exercise devices,showing cooling air supplied by a cooling air output of one of thestationary exercise devices to a neighboring stationary exercise device;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a stationary exercise device having aroom air conditioner adaptor, showing the room air conditioner adaptorcollecting cooling air from a room air conditioner, and driving thecollected cooling air to the stationary exercise device; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a plurality of stationary exercisedevices located in an exercise room, the exercise room having a coolingair source able to supply cooling air to the plurality of stationaryexercise devices, each stationary exercise device having a plurality ofbuilt-in cooling air outlets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, the apparatusincludes an air conditioner 100, or other cooling fluid source, that isattached to a stationary exercise device 102. The air conditioner 100supplies air that is cooler than the ambient air surrounding thestationary exercise device 102 to a cooling air outlet 104. In theillustrated embodiment, cooling air outlet 104 includes a fan. Oneskilled in the art will understand that cooling air outlet 104 can beconfigured with or without a fan, or with additional or alternatefeatures, as described in more detail below.

Cooling air outlet 104 serves as the applicator of the cooling air bydirecting a flow of cooling air toward the front of an individual (notshown) using the device. Warm air resulting from the air cooling processis exhausted from the air conditioner 100 through an air duct 106.

In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2A, the apparatus includes an airconditioner 200 that is not attached to the stationary exercise device102. Air conditioner 200 supplies cooling air thorough a hose 202 to acooling air outlet 104, which is attached to the stationary exercisedevice 102. In the illustrated embodiment, cooling air outlet 104includes a fan that can be used to control the flow rate of the coolingair leaving cooling air outlet 104. FIG. 2B illustrates an embodimentsimilar to the embodiment of FIG. 2A, except that cooling air outlet 104is built into stationary exercise device 102.

FIG. 2C illustrates a preferred embodiment that includes an airconditioner 200 that is not attached to the stationary exercise device102. Air conditioner 200 supplies cooling air thorough a hose 202 to aconduit (not shown) in the body of stationary exercise device 102. Theconduit directs the received cooling air to a series of cooling airoutlets 204A-H, which are located along the deck of the stationaryexercise device 102. Cooling air outlets 204A-H direct cooling airupward from below toward an exerciser using stationary exercise device102. Cooling air outlets 204A-D direct cooling air upon the exerciserfrom along the right side of stationary exercise device 102. Cooling airoutlets 204E-H direct cooling air upon the exerciser from along the leftside of stationary exercise device 102. An air characteristic controller206 on the front of the stationary exercise device 102 allows theexerciser (not shown) to control the overall flow rate and temperatureof the cooling air.

The preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 is similar to theembodiment of FIG. 2B, except that the cooling air source is locatedoutside of the room. Cooling air is supplied through a connection 300 inthe wall of the room to a manifold 302, and from the manifold 302 to aplurality of stationary exercise devices 304. Each exercise device 304has a cooling air outlet 305 that directs the cooling air toward theface, neck, and upper torso of an exerciser using stationary exercisedevice 102.

FIG. 3A illustrates an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 3, except thatcooling air outlet 305 has been replaced by a plurality of cooling airoutlets 306. In a preferred embodiment, each cooling air outlet of theplurality of cooling air outlets 306 is independently directable so asto collectively direct cooling air toward a plurality of respectiveportions of the exerciser, consistent with the SurroundCool™ conceptdescribed above.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are functional diagrams that illustrate cooling airoutlets in two respective preferred embodiments. In FIG. 4A, cooling air400 flows through a duct 402 and exits from a cooling air outlet 404through a set of air directing louvers 406. The direction of the louvers406 can be controlled by rotating a wheel 408 located below the louvers406. In FIG. 4B, cool water flows through a pipe 410 to a heat exchangedevice 412, having a large surface area. Fan 416 pulls cooling air 414across the heat exchange device 412, thereby cooling the cooling air418, which is then directed toward an exerciser.

FIG. 4C illustrates the injection of a cooling mist 420 into the coolingair 400 of FIG. 4A. Water travels through a hose 422 to a spray nozzle424, which transforms the water into mist droplets 420. The mistdroplets 420 enter a mixing chamber 426, where the mist droplets 420 mixwith the flow of cooling air 400 and are carried through cooling airoutlet 404 by the cooling air 400.

In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 5A, a cooling fluid source 500supplies cool liquid through a set of hoses 502 to a heat exchangedevice and fan 504 similar to the device and fan shown in FIG. 4B. Theheat exchange device and fan 504 is attached to the back of a stationaryexercise device 506, on which an individual 508 is exercising, anddirects a flow of cooled air 510 onto the exercising individual 508 frombehind. In this embodiment, the source of cooling fluid 500 is a closedloop liquid chiller and circulator with a self contained cooling liquidreservoir that is accessible through a hatch 512 on the top. Typically,a mixture of water and anti-freeze with anti-corrosion properties isused as the cooling liquid. In other embodiments, the cooling fluid isfreon.

The preferred embodiment of FIG. 5B uses a liquid chiller 500 similar tothe chiller of FIG. 5A, but the chilled liquid is supplied to aplurality of conductive cooling applicators, such as the handles 514,the seat 516, and the backrest 518 of the stationary exercise device506. The exerciser 508 using the stationary exercise device 506 iscooled by direct conductive thermal contact with the cooled handles 514,seat 516, and backrest 518. In some situations, it may be desirable tohave only conductive cooling applicators, without any cooling airoutlets and/or fans to provide convective cooling. The exerciser 508 canmanually control these conductive cooling applicators by rotating thehandles 415 thereby controlling the flow of the cooling liquid to theconductive cooling applicators. For example, by rotating the left one ofthe handles 514, the flow rate of cooling fluid to the seat 516 can beadjusted. By rotating the right one of the handles 415, the flow rate ofcooling fluid to the handles 514 can be adjusted. The exerciser 508 canadjust the cooling effect of the backrest 518 simply by leaning forwardso as to reduce thermal contact with the backrest 518.

Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art understands that air is afluid, just as water is a fluid, and therefore, a flow of cooling aircan be used to cool the plurality of conductive cooling applicators,such as the handles 514, the seat 516, and the backrest 518 of thestationary exercise device 506. Using air as the cooling fluid isparticularly advantageous for use with cooling air outlets that directair convectively towards an exerciser. Thus, the same cooling air thatis provided by the cooling air outlets can be used to cool theconductive cooling applicators by flowing through the conductive coolingapplicators.

FIG. 5C illustrates the cooling of the handles by the chilled liquid inthe preferred embodiment of FIG. 5B. The chilled liquid flows into andup supporting arm 518, which supports the two hand grips 514, throughthe two hand grips 514, and then down the other supporting arm 520. Inthis illustrated embodiment, the two hand grips 514 are metal andprovide good thermal contact with the chilled liquid. The interiors ofthe supporting arms 518 and 520, and the cross brace 522 between the twohand grips 514 are thermally insulated so as to avoid warming of thechilled liquid as it flows up to and down from the handles, and to avoidwater condensation on the supporting arms 518 and 520 and the crossbrace 522.

Various preferred embodiments include both cooling air outlets whichprovide flows of cooling air 504, and conductive cooling applicators514, 516, 518 which provide cooling by thermal conduction due to a flowof cooling fluid (such as cooling air) flowing therewithin, whereby theexerciser can select and control which types of cooling are to beapplied, and how much of each. Of course, it is also possible to includeonly the conductive cooling applicators 514, 516, 518 which providecooling by thermal conduction due to a flow of cooling air or waterflowing therewithin, whereby the exerciser can select and control howmuch conductive cooling is desired.

The embodiment of FIG. 5D uses a liquid chiller 500 similar to thechiller of FIG. 5A, but the chilled liquid is supplied to cooling airoutlets 504A-D, wherein air is cooled by the chilled liquid in a mannersimilar to the outlet of FIG. 4B, the cooling air outlets being part ofthe backrest 510 of the stationary exercise device 506. Cooling airoutlets 504A-D direct cooling air from backrest 510 toward the back,head, and neck of the exerciser 508.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6A, air conditioner 608 supplies cooling airthrough an input hose 606 to stationary exercise device 600. A pluralityof cooling air outlets 610A-H direct cooling air to mostly surround anexerciser 602. An upward extension 612 is coupled to a rear section 604of stationary exercise device 600. Upward extension 612 includes coolingair outlets 610A-B, which direct air toward the rear of exerciser 602.

Similarly, front extension 616 is built into a front section ofstationary exercise device 600. The front section of stationary exercisedevice 600 includes conduits (not shown) internal to the stationaryexercise device 600 that carry air from hose 606 through to frontextension 616 and out through cooling air outlet 610D, which directscooling air toward the face, neck, and upper torso of exerciser 602. Thefront section of stationary exercise device 600 also includes coolingair outlets 610E and 610F, which direct cooling air toward the frontmiddle torso of exerciser 602. The front section of stationary exercisedevice 600 also includes cooling air outlets 610G and 610H, which directcooling air toward the legs and feet of exerciser 602.

The plurality of cooling air outlets of FIG. 6A cooperate to create aSurroundCool™ personal cooling environment for the exerciser. Asdescribed in more detail with respect to the embodiments disclosedherein, SurroundCool™ systems use multiple cooling air outlets toproject multiple flows of cooling air directly upon an exerciser so asto efficiently cool the exerciser without wasting energy by cooling thegeneral environment around the exerciser. In some embodiments, theplurality of cooling air flows provided by SurroundCool™ systems cannotbe directed away from the exerciser's body. Instead, in theseembodiments the exerciser can only restrict or block the flow of coolingair. As such,SurroundCool™ systems in these embodiments thereby improveenergy efficiency, by forcing the user to restrict or block flows ofcooling air when they are no longer desired, rather than wastefullydiverting unwanted cooling air flows away from the body and into thegeneral environment.

For example, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 6A, cooling airoutlet 610D, directly cools the face and upper front body of theexerciser 602, while cooling air outlets 610E-H directly cool the lowerfront portion of the exerciser 602. At the same time, cooling airoutlets 610A-C directly cool the rear portion of the exerciser 602. Asdescribed in more detail below, these cooling air outlets providelimited user-controlled direction within a restricted range ofdirections, for example to direct cooling air according to anexerciser's body size and shape. The ranges of direction adjustment arerestricted so as to always direct some portion of the cooling air ontothe exerciser. In other embodiments, the stationary exercise device canrequest from the exerciser, or automatically determine, the particularexerciser's body weight and/or height. Using the requested or determinedinformation, preferred embodiments restrict the ranges of motion of theuser-controlled cooling air outlets so as to ensure that a portion ofeach air flow always contacts at least a portion of the exerciser.

In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 6B, air conditioner 608 thatsupplies cooling air through an input hose 606 to stationary exercisedevice 600, as in FIG. 6A. However, instead of an upward rear extensionhaving a plurality of cooling air outlets, stationary exercise device600 of FIG. 6B includes a single forward extension 612 coupled to rearsection 604. Forward extension 612 includes a single cooling air outlet610A, which directs cooling air 612 toward the rear of exerciser 602.

Similarly, front extension 616 couples to a front section of stationaryexercise device 600. The front section of stationary exercise device 600includes conduits (not shown) internal to the stationary exercise device600 that carry air from input hose 606 through to front extension 616and out through cooling air outlet 610D, which directs cooling airtoward the face, neck, and upper torso of exerciser 602. The frontsection of stationary exercise device 600 also includes cooling airoutlets 610E and 610F, which direct cooling air toward the front middletorso of exerciser 602. The front section of stationary exercise device600 also includes cooling air outlets 610G and 610H, which directcooling air toward the legs and feet of exerciser 602.

FIG. 6C illustrates cooling air projections associated with the coolingair outlets 610A, 610D, and 610E-H of FIG. 6B. Exerciser 602 is notshown for clarity of illustration. Cooling air outlet 610A directscooling air generally toward the area indicated by cooling airprojection 612A. Cooling air outlet 610D directs cooling air generallyin the area indicated by cooling air projection 612D. Cooling air outlet610F directs cooling air generally in the area indicated by cooling airprojection 612F. Cooling air outlet 610G directs cooling air generallyin the area indicated by cooling air projection 612G. Cooling air outlet610H directs cooling air generally in the area indicated by cooling airprojection 612H.

Additionally, FIG. 6C illustrates, using the cooling air projections,how the collective air flow from cooling air outlets 610A-H mostlysurround the exerciser 602 with cooling air. Further, the arrangement ofthe cooling air outlets and cooling air projections suggests theimpression of being in a vehicle cockpit to the exerciser 602.

FIG. 6D illustrates, using the cooling air projections, how thecollective air flow from cooling air outlets 610D-H mostly cover thefront of exerciser 602 with cooling air. Similarly, FIG. 6E illustrates,using the cooling air projections, how the collective air flow from rearcooling air outlets, here cooling air outlet 610A, mostly covers therear of exerciser 602 with cooling air.

FIG. 7A illustrates an exemplary cooling air outlet 700 that receivescooling air from a connector 702 that connects cooling air outlet 700 toa hose 704. Hose 703 connects to a cooling air supply (not shown).Cooling air outlet 700 is rotatably coupled to connector 702, so that anexerciser can manually adjust the cooling air flow exiting cooling airoutlet 700. Tab 706 provides a convenient grasping point for theexerciser. FIG. 7A shows cooling air outlet 700 in neutral position.

FIG. 7B shows cooling air outlet 700 in an upward tilt position thatdirects cooling air upwards. FIG. 7C shows cooling air outlet 700 in adownward tilt position that directs cooling air downwards. FIG. 7D showscooling air outlet 700 in a rightward tilt position that directs coolingair to the right. FIG. 7E shows cooling air outlet 700 in a leftwardtilt position that directs cooling air to the left.

FIG. 8A illustrates a preferred embodiment that includes a cooling airsource 808 (such as an air conditioner, or a fan that pulls in coldoutside air, for example) that is not attached to the stationaryexercise device 800. The cooling air source 808 supplies cooling airthorough a hose 809 and through conduits within the body of stationaryexercise device 800. Cooling air from cooling air source 808 travelsfrom the conduits into upright members 804A, 804B, 806A, and 806B. Thecooling air leaves the upright members through a plurality of coolingair outlets 808A-D, 810A-D, and 812. Working in cooperation, air flowsleaving cooling air outlets 808A-D, 810A-D, and 812 mostly surround anexerciser (not shown) using stationary exercise device 800.

As shown, cooling air outlets 808A-D are located on forward uprightmembers 804A and 804B, and direct cooling air toward the front middletorso, legs, and feet of the exerciser. Similarly, cooling air outlets810A-D are located on rear upright members 806A and 806B, and directcooling air toward the rear middle torso, legs, and feet of theexerciser. Upper member 802 includes cooling air outlet 812, whichdirects cooling air toward the head, neck, and front torso of theexerciser.

FIG. 8B also illustrates a preferred embodiment that includes horizontalmembers 814A, 814B that supply cooling air from either side of anexerciser, as well as a cooling air source 808 that supplies cooling airthorough a hose 809 and through conduits within the body of stationaryexercise device 800. Cooling air from cooling air source 808 travelsfrom the conduits into substantially upright members 804A and 804B. Thecooling air leaves the upright members and enters horizontal members814A and 814B and upper member 802. The cooling air leaves thehorizontal members through a plurality of cooling air outlets 816A-H.Working in cooperation, air flows leaving cooling air outlets 816A-D and816E-H mostly surround an exerciser (not shown) using stationaryexercise device 800.

As illustrated, cooling air outlets 816A-D direct cooling air from theleft side of the stationary exercise device 800. Similarly, cooling airoutlets 816E-H direct cooling air from the right side of the stationaryexercise device 800.

FIG. 8C illustrates an embodiment similar to FIG. 8B, except that thecooling air source (such as an air conditioner, or other suitablecooling air source) is contained within the stationary exercise device800, the cooling air source having an air inlet 811 through whichambient air is drawn into the cooling air source and cooled before beingdelivered to the cooling air outlets 812, 816A-H

FIG. 9A also illustrates a preferred embodiment that includes a coolingair source 808 that is external to the stationary exercise device 900and supplies cooling air thorough a hose 809 and through conduits withinthe body of stationary exercise device 900. Cooling air from cooling airsource 808 travels from the conduits into substantially upright members804A and 804B and upper member 802. The cooling air also travels withinthe conduits, leaving the body of the stationary exercise device 900through cooling air outlets 906A and 906B. Working in cooperation, airflows 910A and 910B, leaving cooling air outlets 906A and 906B,respectively, direct cooling air upward from below, toward the rearmiddle torso, legs, and feet of the exerciser.

FIG. 9B illustrates an embodiment similar to FIG. 9A, except that theembodiment shown in FIG. 9B includes an additional pair of rear coolingair outlets 906C and 906D. As shown, the additional pair of rear coolingair outlets 906C, 906D direct air flows 910C and 910D, respectively.Working in cooperation, the inner rear cooling air outlets 906C and 906Ddirect cooling air upward from below, toward the legs and feet of theexerciser. Similarly, the outer rear cooling air outlets 906A and 906Bdirect cooling air upward from below, toward the rear middle torso ofthe exerciser.

FIG. 9C illustrates an embodiment which is similar to FIG. 9A, exceptthat the cooling air source is contained within the stationary exercisedevice 900, the cooling air source having an air inlet 811 through whichambient air is drawn into the cooling air source and cooled before beingdelivered to the cooling air outlets 812, 808A-D, and 906A-B.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment similar to FIG. 6, except that thestationary exercise device 600 includes a cooling air output hose 1000.The cooling air output hose 1000 enables the stationary exercise device600 to supply cooling air to a second stationary exercise device 1002.As shown, cooling air output hose 1000 serves as an input hose 606 tothe stationary exercise device 1002. This enables the cooling air source608 to supply cooling air to both of the stationary exercise devices600, 1002 without requiring a direct cooling air connection between thecooling air source 608 and the second stationary exercise device 1002.

Embodiments of the present invention direct cooling air specificallytowards where it is needed, that is, towards the body of the exerciser602, and in some embodiments, towards targeted regions of the body ofthe exerciser 602. Embodiments of the invention create a personalcooling environment which surrounds at least part of the body of theexerciser 602.

As a consequence, with reference to FIG. 11, using an adaptor forcollecting cooling air from a room air conditioner, overall coolingrequirements can be reduced for the room in which the stationaryexercise device 600 is located. The room air conditioner 1102,previously used for cooing the entire room, can operate so as to onlycool the exerciser directly, which requires less energy than cooling theentire room. The room air conditioner 1102, combined with the adaptor1100, services as the source of cooling air, rather than the separate,dedicated cooing air source 608 shown in FIG. 6A, for example.

In these embodiments, the cooling air input 606 is connected to anadaptor 1100, which collects and diverts cooling air from the room airconditioner 1102 to the cooling air input hose 606. In some embodimentsthe adaptor 1100 includes a boosting fan 1104 that increases thepressure and/or flow rate of the cooling air supplied to the cooling airinput hose 606.

FIG. 12 shows a cooling air source 200 located in an exercise roomhaving a plurality of exercise devices 304, the cooling air source 200being able to supply cooling air to the plurality of stationary exercisedevices 304 via main hose 300, which branches out via distribution hose302. The cooling air source 200 supplies cooling air at a pressure andflow rate that enables each exerciser to meet individually-selectedcooling requirements and/or preferences. The cooling air source 200 caninclude a regulator that can ensure that the cooling air source 200supplies a desired pressure, flow, etc. to each exercise device whenfewer than all of a large number of connected exercise devices are inuse.

Each exercise device 304 includes a pair of cooling air outlets 1200A,1200B in its upper structure, which can direct cooling air toward theface of an exerciser, a plurality of cooling air vents along its base204A-H, which can direct cooling air upward toward the exerciser frombelow, and a plurality of cooling air outlets 1204A-D located in uprightstructures, which can direct cooling air toward the front of theexerciser. Alternatively, the cooling air source can be located outsideof the exercise room.

Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled inthe art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the inventionas claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limitthe invention except as indicated in the following claims.

1. An apparatus for cooling an exerciser while the exerciser uses astationary exercise device, the apparatus being built into thestationary exercise device, the apparatus comprising: at least onecooling air input that is connectable to a cooling air source, thecooling air source being capable of supplying a flow of cooling air; anda plurality of air outlets built into the stationary exercise device,each air outlet being in airflow communication with the at least onecooling air input, at least one air outlet being independentlyadjustable in direction over a range of directions, and the plurality ofair outlets being arranged so as to mostly surround the exerciser withcooling air.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the range ofdirections is bounded so as to ensure that the at least one air outletremains directed toward at least a part of the exerciser.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, the cooling air being at least one of cool freshair, chilled air, filtered air, and dehumidified air.
 4. The apparatusof claim 1, further comprising an air characteristic controller able tocontrol at least one characteristic of the cooling air supplied to atleast some of the plurality of air outlets, the characteristic being atleast one of: fresh air content; temperature; flow rate; and humidity.5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plurality of air outlets isdivided into at least two groups, and the air characteristic controlleris able to independently control the at least one characteristic of thecooling air for each of the at least two groups.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the air outlets includes a flow rateadjuster that enables manual adjustment of a flow rate, within a rangeof flow rates, of the cooling air flowing out of the at least one airoutlet.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the range of flow ratesincludes zero air flow.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at leastone of the air outlets includes a shut-off mechanism that is able toprevent cooling air from flowing out of the at least one air outlet. 9.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the range of directions is bounded soas to allow a range of directions shaped like one of: a rectangle; anellipse; a diamond; a hexagon an octagon a square; a circle; a polygon;and an outline of a person.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thecooling air source is one of: a fresh air conduit; a dehumidifier; awindow air conditioner; a free-standing room air conditioner; and acentral air conditioner.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thecooling air source is built in to the stationary exercise device. 12.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of airoutlets are built into at least one extended member of the stationaryexercise device, the extended member being extended so as to enable theair outlets to contribute to mostly surrounding the exerciser withcooling air.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one airoutlet is a directable nozzle having a rotatable ring that can berotated to control the air flow rate, including being able to completelystop air flow from the nozzle.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein atleast one air outlet is a cooling air outlet with two sets of mutuallyperpendicular and independently movable louvers, and a tab for directingboth sets of louvers.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least oneair outlet includes a mechanism for closing the cooling air outlet. 16.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the air outlets is acooling air outlet having a rotatable ball with an array of square airchannels, the cooling air outlet also having a central joystick that canbe used to direct the rotatable ball and to shut off the cooling airoutlet by rotating the joystick.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinat least some of the plurality of air outlets are arranged to suggestthat the exerciser is within a vehicle cockpit.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein each air outlet can be manually and independentlyadjusted using only one hand.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thecooling air source is able to supply cooling air to a plurality ofstationary exercise devices, the cooling air being regulated so as to besupplied at a pressure and flow rate that enables each exerciser to meetindividually-selected cooling preferences.
 20. An apparatus for coolingan exerciser while the exerciser uses a stationary exercise device, theapparatus being built into the stationary exercise device, the apparatuscomprising: at least one cooling air input that is connectable to acooling air source, the cooling air source being capable of supplying aflow of cooling air, the cooling air being at least one of cool freshair, chilled air, and filtered air; and a plurality of air outlets builtinto the stationary exercise device, each air outlet being in airflowcommunication with the at least one cooling air input, at least one airoutlet being manually and independently adjustable in direction over arange of directions, the range of directions being bounded so as toensure that the air outlet remains directed toward at least a part ofthe exerciser, at least one of the air outlets including a flow rateadjuster that enables manual adjustment of the flow rate, within a rangeof flow rates, of the cooling air flowing out of the at least one airoutlet, at least one of the air outlets including a shut-off mechanismthat is able to prevent cooling air from flowing out of the at least oneair outlet, and the plurality of air outlets being arranged so as tomostly surround the exerciser with cooling air.
 21. The apparatus ofclaim 20, wherein at least one of the plurality of air outlets is builtinto an extended member of the stationary exercise device, the extendedmember being extended so as to enable the at least one air outlet tocontribute towards mostly surrounding the exerciser with cooling air.22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the cooling air source is able tosupply cooling air to a plurality of stationary exercise devices, thecooling air being regulated so as to be supplied at a pressure and flowrate that enables each exerciser to meet individually-selected coolingpreferences.
 23. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: at leastone conductive cooling applicator, the conductive cooling applicatorbeing capable of providing cooling by thermal conduction due to a flowof cooling air flowing within the conductive cooling applicator, theconductive cooling applicator being in airflow communication with thecooling air source.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein theconductive cooling applicator is included in at least one of: a handle;a seat; and a backrest.